Skiboot

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a skiboot of the type possessing a one-piece upper extending at least to the height of the ankle of the user and formed of a flexurally stiff material. According to the invention, the rear portion of the upper edge of the upper is bridged by a flap member destined to flatly bear against the leg of the user, this flap member is pivotably secured to the upper, so that it can pivot about a pivot axis extending transversely with respect to the lengthwise direction of the boot and parallel to the plane of the sole of the boot.

I United States Patent 1 [111 3,729,841 Wagner [451 May 1, 1973 [54] SKIBOOT Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson [76] Inventor: Friedrich Wagner, Rheinstrasse 68, Attorneywoodlmg Krost Granger & Rust Darmstadt, Germany [57] ABSTRACT [22] filed: 1971 There is disclosed a skiboot of the type possessing a [21] A N 12 403 one-piece upper extending at least to the height of the ankle of the user and formed of aflexurally stiff material. According to the invention, the rear portion Forelgn Appllcatlon y Data of the upper edge of the upper is bridged by a flap Apr 2 1970 Switzerland 4925/70 member destined to flatly bear against the leg of the user, this flap member is pivotably secured to the upper, so that it can pivot about a pivot axis extending [22] ..36/2.5 AL transversely with respect to the lengthwise direction of I If. the boot and parallel to the plane of the Sole f the 58 Field of Search "as/ 2.5 R, 2.5 AL, boot [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1s Crimea Drawing Figures 3,303,584 2/1967 Werneret al. ..36/2.5 AL 3,374,561 3/1968 Werner et al. ..36/2.5 AL

Patentd ay-1, 973 v v 3,729,841

' INVENTOR.

Patented May 1,1973

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 SKIBOOT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved type of skiboot incorporating a unitary or one-piece upper formed of a material which is resistant to bending or flexurally stiff and wherein the upper extends at least to the height of the ankle.

Skiboots of this general type have proven to be quite satisfactory for the present day skiing techniques. This is so, because, on the one hand, the skiboot is intended to function as the connection element with the ski and to transmit to the ski all possible footand-leg movements of the skier, while, on the other hand, the skiboot is to function as a casing or housing of the foot of the skier and be as comfortable as possible. Both of these essentially contradictory requirements have resulted in the modern day skiboots which generally are formed of a very rigid upper which extends above the height of the ankle. The inside surface of the upper is equipped with a polstering whether such be in the form of an inner boot or a padding which is intended to safeguard against any uncomfortable wearing of the boot.

On the other hand, the leg of the skier, especially when moving from a forward leaning position into a backward leaning position, and vice versa, carries out rocking or pivotal movements about the heel joint directed essentially transverse to the direction of skiing. An upper which is stiff and at the height of the ankle is not capable of following such movements.

The consequence of such is that the intensity of the polstering or padding has been increased, so that, without bending the upper which in any case is hardly capable of being bent, the leg of the skier is able to carry out these pivotal movements while compressing the thicker padding or polstering. However, when resorting to this measure there is brought about a certain impairment of the floor contact between the foot and the upper of the boot, the skier experiencing an unsure feeling of floating within the boot. This uncertain feeling which the skier experiences also is present in those skiboot constructions in which for the purpose of rendering possible the pivotal movements of the leg about the heel joint there is simply provided a cutout or recess at the rear portion of the upper edge of the upper. In such type skiboot constructions the calf of the skier is not enclosed by the upper portion or region of the upper, rather is only enclosed at the front and at the sides. Furthermore, even the best padded or lined boot with a high upper cannot prevent that the upper edge of the upper, when performing the aforementioned movements of the foot, will to a certain extent exert an edge pressure upon the lower calf of the leg of the skier. Experienced skiers are aware of such painful pressure points.

There has also already been proposed in the art to subdivide the upper itself into two flexurally stiff sections. More particularly, such construction contemplates a lower semi-boot or half-shoe like section and an upper approximately tubular-shaped section. These two sections of the upper are then connected by means of hinge joints or flexible sections with one another in the manner of a bellows, wherein the pivot axes between the upper and lower up per sections are approximately coaxial with the heel joint. This has, however, resulted in very complicated, overly massive and not very satisfactory skiboots, as such for instance have been taught in Swiss Pat. Nos. 374,569, 391,509 and 442,072, as well as in French Pat. Nos. 1,321,975 and 1,412,280 and especially U.S. Pat. No. 3,303,584. In all of these skiboot constructions there have resulted particular difficulties at the transition locations because of the flexural bridging of both stiff upper sections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, there is still present a real need in the art for an improved type of skiboot which is not as sociated with the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art constructions. Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved skiboot which effectively and reliably fulfills the existing need in the art and overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of skiboot constructions of the prior art as explained above.

Another and more specific object of the present invention is the provision of a skiboot of the aforementioned type which is able to get by with a minimum amount of padding or lining, while on the other hand providing a maximum degree of positive guiding of the foot within the boot, and therefore is able to avoid having to resort to technical expedients or measures which undesirably increase the weight of the boot.

In keeping with the aforementioned objectives it is still a further object of the instant invention to provide a skiboot which can be manufactured with mass production techniques in a relatively economical and efficient manner.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the inventive skiboot of the aforementioned general type is designed such that only a resistance in the form of a flat pressure counteracts the movements of the heel joint about a pivot axis which is disposed transverse to the direction of skiing or travel. This resistance affords without complaint a feeling to the skier of a positive hold in the boot, whereas movements about an axis extending in the lengthwise direction of skiing, so-called lateral or tilting movements, can be directly transmitted to the stiff upper and therefore to the sole and thus to the ski.

Now, for the purpose of implementing these objectives of the invention the proposed skiboot of the invention is generally manifested by the features that the rear portion of the upper edge of the upper is bridged by a flap member or strap destined to bear snugly against the leg of the user of the boot. This flap member is mounted at the upper for pivotal movement, the pivot axis extending in known manner transverse to the lengthwise direction of the boot and parallel to the plane of the sole of the boot.

Furthermore, the invention contemplates-providing a noticeable in the form of a void or space. According to a more simplified version of the invention this flap member or tongue can be advantageously formed of a flexural, non-elastic material, for instance a coated knitted or woven fabric, although it is preferred to use as the material for this flap member leather or plastic.

Moreover, the flap member itself can be formed of a flexurally stiff material and, in turn, hingedly connected to an articulated link which is pivotably connected to the top rear edge of the upper. In this embodiment the range of pivoting of the articulated link can be regulated by adjustable stops and the height of the flap member with respect to the upper can be adjusted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a skiboot for the right foot of the user, whereinthe direction of movement of the leg when leaning forward is shown in full lines and when leaning backwards in phantom lines;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the skiboot of FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the rear portion of the upper edge of the upper of the skiboot depicted in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the right skiboot of a modified embodiment of the invention which is capable of fulfilling the utmost requirements placed upon skiboots.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawing, in FIG. 1 the entire skiboot has been designated by reference character 10. It will be seen to be composed ofa sole 12 having a forward connection portion 13 for the toe binding and a rear sole connection portion or projection 14 for the heel binding. An upper 11 is attached to the sole 12, the upper 11 possessing both side portions 16 and 17 which overlap one another, as shown, and equipped with any suitable and therefore only schematically indicated skiboot closure mechanism, such as the buckle closure mechanism 18 serving to mutually draw the flaps l6 and 17 of the upper 11 tightly over one another in overlapping fashion. The upper portion of the side portion 17 has been conveniently broken away in the showing of FIG. 1 along the line 17' in order to better render visible the upper region or edge of the upper 11. The rear portion of this upper edge of the upper 11 is here shown to be equipped with a cutout or recess 19, the lowest location 22 of the recess 19 extending somewhat slightly above the height of the ankle portion of the foot ofthe user.

It should be understood that the depth of the recess 19 essentially depends upon the total height of the upper 11. In the case of boots in which the upper edge of the upper extends in an approximately horizontal plane, or in a plane which tapers rearwardly, this cutout or recess can be designed so that it provides only an approximately 1 centimeter deep recess, or even can be completely omitted.

In the exemplary embodiment of skiboot under consideration, the cutout I9 is spanned or bridged by a flap member or tongue 20 which here is formed of leather or plastic. The flap member or tongue 20 is pivotably connected with the upper 11 at the region of the flap ends 26 at the zone of the side edges 21 of the cutout 19' and at the height of the lowest location 22 of such cutout 19. This pivotal connection of the flap member 20 with the side or lateral edges 21 of the cutout 19 can be perfected through the use of any suitable pivotal connections, rivets or pivot bolts 23 for instance, or other appropriate elements. In fact, the pivotal connecting means 23 can be designed such that one end of the flap member is detachably pivotably connected with the upper. It is here also mentioned that the marginal end portions or terminal ends 26 of the flap member 20 can be displaceably connected by the connection elements 23 with the upper such that they displaceably bear against the inside surface of the upper in sealing-lip like fashion. Flap member 20 bears snugly and in contacting relationship with the leg 24 of the user which is pressed rearwardly by the ski closure mechanism 18, and owing to its bendability and its pivotal connection can readily follow the movements of the leg 24 in the direction of the double-headed arrow 25, without the leg being subjected to the previously explained edge pressure which at the very best is annoying, but generally painful.

As best observed by referring to FIG. 3, the thickness of the flap member 20 at the region of its lateral terminal ends 26 runs out to null, so that no noticeable irregular transition appears at the inner surfaceof the upper 11. This is also the case for the lower edge of the flap member 20, that is to say, that edge which flatly bears at the inside of the upper at the region of the lowest location 22 of the cutout 19 which possesses a substantially U-shaped configuration.

In the embodiment of boot depicted in FIG. 4 there will be recognized the sole which has formed or moulded thereat the rear or heel binding projection and the front or toe binding projection or shoulder 130. At the side of the boot 100 which is visible in FIG. 4 it will be seen that there extends upwardly from the sole 120 a guide surface 121 which is formed or moulded with the sole 120, this guide surface, for instance, being of the type disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,411,224, granted Nov. 19, 1968. Further, it will be understood that the side of the boot visible in the show ing of FIG. 4 confronts the other boot which has not been depicted.

Furthermore, the boot closure mechanism for the skiboot illustrated in FIG. 4 is at the side which is not visible to the observer of the drawing and therefore cannot be seen. Yet, it should be understood that any suitable type of boot closure mechanism can be satisfactorily employed, such as for instance the buckle closure mechanism 18 of the embodiment of FIG. 1. At the rear end of the upper 110 of this construction of boot 100 there is attached, for instance by means of rivets 111, a plate member 112. Eyelets 113 are formed at the upper region or end of this plate member 112. A pivot pin or bolt 114 is pressed into or otherwise conveniently mounted in these eyelets 113. An articulated link 1 l5 constructed in the form of a double-arm lever, is pivotably connected at the pivot pin 114. This articulated link 115 can be constituted, for instance, by a pressed light metal-formed member having a substantially T-shaped profile. At the free end of the lower arm 1 17 of the articulated link 115 there is attached a stop member in the form of an eccentric 119 which can rotate about a pin 118 and can be fixedly positioned, for instance by the provision of threading. The eccentric 119 is intended to bear against the plate member 112. Consequently, the range of pivoting or rotation of the articulated link 115 about the pivot pin 114 in clockwise direction of FIG. 4 is accordingly limited.

Continuing, it will be observed that the free end of the upper arm 116 of the articulated link 115 is equipped with a further pivot pin 121. A pair of eyelets 122 formed at a curved plate member 123 are pivotably mounted at this furtherpivot pin or bolt 121. This plate member 123 possesses a curved profile and its side edges 124 are turned inwards to engage behind guide grooves 126 formed at the flap or strap member 125. In this connection it is to be understood that the plate member 123 and/or the flap member 125 are constructed so as to be elastically flexible in such a manner that the flap member 125 is normally retained in a predetermined position, but when required can be displaced with respect to the plate member 123. As can be further recognized by referring to FIG. 4, the flap member 125 approximately possesses the configuration of a shoe-horn, that is, it is curved or domed, wherein the concave front face or side of the flap member is formed to approximately correspond to the rear portion of the lower calf against which this flap member comes to bear. Furthermore, the flap member 125 is advantageously formed of a suitable plastic, for instance hard-PVC, of NYLON or GRILON or the like.

FIG. 4 further illustrates that the lower end 128 of the flap member 125 overlaps the rear section 103, provided at the top marginal edge or region of the upper 101, at the inside of the upper 110.

Now, in order to place the skiboot upon the foot of the user one proceeds as follows: the buckle closure mechanism is released, the boot tongue 102 is pulled out as far as possible towards the front of the boot and the stop eccentric 119 is rotated to such extent that the upper arm 116 of the articulated link 115 is rocked as far back towards the rear as possible. After insertion of the foot the tongue 102 is brought to bear flatly against the instep of the foot, thereafter the buckle closure mechanism tightens the upper of the boot about the foot. In so doing, the lower calf of the user is gently placed towards the rear so as to bear against the flap member 125. Thereafter, if necessary, the flap member 125 is elevationally adjusted. As long as one has not yet begun to ski it is not necessary to undertake any adjustment of the stop or impact eccentric 119. Prior to beginning the actual skiing the skier assumes his nor mal skiing position, that is, presses his knees forwardly to such extent as is desired for his own personal skiing style. Then, in this position, through rotation of the stop eccentric 119 the upper arm 1 16 of the articulated link 115 is forwardly pivoted, in the event such adjustment is at all necessary, until the flap member 125 gently bears against the calf of the leg of the user. Now

if the skier begins to ski then the flap member remains in contact with the calf. When leaning backwards, a

position which must often be assumed for relieving the load at the tips of the skis whetherit be for the purpose of increasing the skiing speed or when skiing in deep snow, the calf of the skier does not come into contact with the rear section 103 of the upper edge of the upper. Quite to the contrary, this increased pressure is immediately transmitted rearwardly to the flap member- 125 supported by the lever action of the articulated link and then to the plate member 112 and from that location to the heel projection 140 of the boot and to the therewith attached non-illustrated skis, so that the desired effect of the rearward leaning of the skier immediately comes into play.

On the other hand, when the skier leans forward the flap member remains in contact with the leg of the skier because it is connected pivotably at locations 121 and l 14 with the flexurally stiff upper 1 10.

From what has been explained above it will be recognized that by means of the described skiboot of the invention it is readily possible to carry out the modern day skiing techniques which employ an extreme rearward leaning, especially during downhill skiing, without the skier experiencing the known and extremely painful pressure points at his legs. However, by virtue of the lateral upwardly extending portions of the upper there is ensured at the same time that there is no impairment of the lateral guiding of the ski. By the same token, the cutout 19 (FIGS. 1-3) or the flap member 125 does not afford any less protection for the foot of the user against the feared legand bone breaks during falling, since the described boot of the invention actually affords for the foot of the user an optimum support and not a veiled support as is provided by using an excessive amount of padding or polstering. This optimum support can be compared with that afforded bya chair to a seated user if the chair employs an unpolstered, yet pivotably arranged, anatomically configured backrest.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied andpracticed within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a skiboot of the type possessing a sole and a one-piece upper extending at least to the height of the ankle and formed of a flexurally stiff material, the improvement comprising a flap member for bridging the rear portion of the upper edge of the upper and destined to bear against the leg of the user, means for pivotably attaching said flap member to said upper so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending substantially transverse to the lengthwise direction of the skiboot and substantially parallel to the sole of the boot, a cutout formed at the rear portion of the upper edge of the upper, and said flap member bridging said cutout.

2. The skiboot as defined in claim 1, wherein said cutout is laterally bounded by side edges, said flap member having terminal end portions which overlap said side edges of said cutout at the: inside of said upper.

3. The skiboot as defined in claim 1, wherein said cutout is bounded by a marginal edge portion, said flap member overlapping said marginal edge portion of said cutout at the inside of said upper.

4. The skiboot as defined in claim 1, wherein said flap member is formed of a bendable nonelastic material.

5. The skiboot as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for pivotably connecting said flap member to said upper serves to detachably pivotably connect one end of said flap member with said upper.

6. The skiboot as defined in claim 1, wherein said cutout possesses a substantially U-shaped configuration, and wherein said pivotably attaching means comprise pivot pins arranged substantially at the height of the lowest point of said cutout.

7. The skiboot as defined in claim 3, wherein said flap member is provided with lateral marginal end portions which overlap the marginal edge portion of said cutout at the inside of said upper, said marginal end portions of said flap member running out to approximately zero thickness, said marginal end portions of said flap member displaceably bearing against the inside of said upper in a sealing-lip fashion.

8. In a skiboot of the type possessing a sole and a one-piece upper extending at least to the height of the ankle and formed of a flexurally stiff material, the improvement comprising a flap member for bridging the rear portion of the upper edge of the upper and destined to bear against the leg of the user, means for pivotably attaching said flap member to said upper so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending substantially transverse to the lengthwise direction of the skiboot and substantially parallel to the sole of the boot, an articulated link, means for pivotably connecting said flap member with said articulated link, and means for pivotably connecting said articulated link to a rear section of the upper edge of said upper.

9. The skiboot as defined in claim 8, further including stop means for regulating the range of pivoting of said articulated link.

10. The skiboot as defined in claim 8, further including means for adjusting the elevational position of said flap member with respect to said upper.

11. The skiboot as defined in claim 10, wherein said adjusting means comprises guide groove means provided at said flap member, and a plate member pivotably supported by said articulated link and engagable with said guide groove means.

12. The skiboot as defined in claim 8, wherein the lower end of said flap member overlaps the rear section of the upper edge of the upper at the inside of the upper.

13. The skiboot as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for pivotably connecting said articulated link with the upper edge of said upper comprises an elongate plate member attached to the rear of the upper, said elongate plate member extending from the region of the upper edge of the upper to the region of approximately the heel portion of the boot.

14. The skiboot as defined in claim 13, wherein said elongate plate member is riveted to the rear of the boot.

15. In a skiboot of the type possessing a sole and a one-piece upper extending at least to the height of the ankle and formed of a flexurally stiff material, the improvement comprising a flap member for bridging only the rear portion of the upper edge of the upper and destined to bear only against a rear portion of the leg of the user, and means or pivotably attaching said ap member to said upper so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending substantially transverse to the lengthwise direction of the skiboot and substantially parallel to the sole of the boot. 

1. In a skiboot of the type possessing a sole and a one-piece upper extending at least to the height of the ankle and formed of a flexurally stiff material, the improvement comprising a flap member for bridging the rear portion of the upper edge of the upper and destined to bear against the leg of the user, means for pivotably attaching said flap member to said upper so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending substantially transverse to the lengthwise direction of the skiboot and substantially parallel to the sole of the boot, a cutout formed at the rear portion of the upper edge of the upper, and said flap member bridging said cutout.
 2. The skiboot as defined in claim 1, wherein said cutout is laterally bounded by side edges, said flap member having terminal end portions which overlap said side edges of said cutout at the inside of said upper.
 3. The skiboot as defined in claim 1, wherein said cutout is bounded by a marginal edge portion, said flap member overlapping said marginal edge portion of said cutout at the inside of said upper.
 4. The skiboot as defined in claim 1, wherein said flap member is formed of a bendable nonelastic material.
 5. The skiboot as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for pivotably connecting said flap member to said upper serves to detachably pivotably connect one end of said flap member with said upper.
 6. The skiboot as defined in claim 1, wherein said cutout possesses a substantially U-shaped configuration, and wherein said pivotably attaching means comprise pivot pins arranged substantially at the height of the lowest point of said cutout.
 7. The skiboot as defined in claim 3, wherein said flap member is provided with lateral marginal end portions which overlap the marginal edge portion of said cutout at the inside of said upper, said marginal end portions of said flap member running out to approximately zero thickness, said marginal end portions of said flap member displaceably bearing against the inside of said upper in a sealing-lip fashion.
 8. In a skiboot of the type possessing a sole and a one-piece upper extending at least to the height of the ankle and formed of a flexurally stiff material, the improvement comprising a flap member for bridging the rear portion of the upper edge of the upper and destined to bear against the leg of the user, means for pivotably attaching said flap member to said upper so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending substantially transverse to the lengthwise direction of the skiboot and substantially parallel to the sole of the boot, an articulated link, means for pivotably connecting said flap member with said articulated link, and means for pivotably connecting said articulated link to a rear section of the upper edge of said upper.
 9. The skiboot as defined in claim 8, further including stop means for regulating the range of pivoting of said articulated link.
 10. The skiboot as defined in claim 8, further including means for adjusting the elevational position of said flap member with respect to said upper.
 11. The skiboot as defined in claim 10, wherein said adjusting means comprises guide groove means provided at said flap member, and a plate member pivotably supported by said articulated link and engagable with said guide groove means.
 12. The skiboot as defined in claim 8, wherein the lower end of said flap member overlaps the rear section of the upper edge of the upper at the inside of the upper.
 13. The skiboot as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for pivotably connecting said articulated link with the upper edge of said upper comprises an elongate plate member attached to the rear of the upper, said elongate plate member extending from the region of the upper edge of the upper to the region of approximately the heel portion of the boot.
 14. The skiboot as defined in claim 13, wherein said elongate plate member is riveted to thE rear of the boot.
 15. In a skiboot of the type possessing a sole and a one-piece upper extending at least to the height of the ankle and formed of a flexurally stiff material, the improvement comprising a flap member for bridging only the rear portion of the upper edge of the upper and destined to bear only against a rear portion of the leg of the user, and means for pivotably attaching said flap member to said upper so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis extending substantially transverse to the lengthwise direction of the skiboot and substantially parallel to the sole of the boot. 